Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 66

That afternoon, Juliana went into the city accompanied by Rosie and two knights.

They stopped by a dessert shop to enjoy sweets and tea, and as the sun began to set, they made their way to Caitlin Walsh’s boutique.

Juliana had become friendly with Caitlin when she previously had some outfits made.

She trusted that Caitlin was not someone who gossiped or liked to spread rumors, so Juliana had sent a letter in advance and arranged to rent the boutique privately for two hours.

“The lady is getting her fittings done inside. It may take a little while, so please feel free to sit and relax. I’ll call you if anything happens,”

Rosie said politely to the knights.

“Understood. Make sure to call us right away if there is any trouble.”

“Of course, of course.”

Rosie smiled brightly and placed the refreshments the boutique staff had brought out in front of them.

Juliana had chosen the boutique not only for fittings but also because she needed to create a distraction.

Since dress shops required changes of clothing, it was natural that the knights would not be allowed to enter the private fitting rooms.

After making sure the knights were settled, Rosie entered the inner room where Caitlin and Juliana were already deep in conversation.

“Are you sure it’s safe for you to go alone?”

Rosie looked worried.

“I’ll be back quickly. You don’t have to worry,”

Juliana said, trying to ease her concern.

Hearing their exchange, Caitlin chimed in with a teasing smile.

“It feels like Her Highness is about to embark on a grand adventure. My heart is pounding.”

There was more curiosity than concern on Caitlin’s face, and a playful glint in her eyes.

“You both understand that you must not speak of this to anyone. I trust you know how serious this is.”

“Come on, of course. If rumors spread, I’d be the first suspect. Why would I do something so foolish?”

Juliana appreciated this shrewd side of Caitlin.

She gave a firm nod, then stood and guided Rosie to sit in the chair she had just vacated.

“I’ll be back within two hours. You two stay here and enjoy your conversation.”

With a graceful wave of her hand, Juliana opened the door that led out of the boutique.

“Take care, Your Highness,”

Caitlin called out cheerfully, while Rosie gave a small bow, still visibly uneasy.

Before exiting the building, Juliana activated a magical device that transformed her appearance into that of a large, middle-aged man.

Pulling her hood low, she blended easily into the street, drawing no attention with her now plain and forgettable features.

After walking for a while, she arrived in front of the pub where she had arranged to meet Martin. It was the oldest one on Harpste Street, its wooden sign swaying in the breeze.

The sign read The Drunkard’s Paradise, the oldest tavern on that street.

Juliana raised her arm slightly, and Atlante, who had been circling overhead, landed softly.

She had sent him ahead to make sure Martin had not brought any unwanted company or backup.

“Did he come alone?”

“No one else. I’ve been watching since he left the Everett estate. He didn’t meet with anyone,”

Atlante replied, feathers ruffling as he looked at her magically altered face.

Amused by his reaction, Juliana chuckled quietly and raised her arm again. Atlante took the cue and flew back up into the sky.

The moment she pushed open the creaky old door, the thick smell of alcohol and loud chatter hit her like a wave.

Juliana scanned the interior quickly and spotted Martin sitting in a dim corner.

The large mug in front of him was already empty, suggesting he had arrived early and passed the time drinking.

She walked briskly to his table and sat across from him.

The moment someone sat down across from him, Martin’s eyes widened in shock.

“Y-you sent the letter?”

This was the first time Juliana had ever seen Martin so shaken.

He had always been the kind of man who seemed one step ahead of everyone, always wearing a smug, calculating smile.

“Did you bring what we agreed on?”

Juliana asked coldly, skipping any kind of pleasantry.

Martin swallowed hard as he looked at the man in front of him.

Brown hair, brown eyes, a face neither handsome nor unpleasant. There was nothing remarkable about his appearance.

But his broad shoulders, upright posture, refined speech, and the sharp glint in his eyes gave off an undeniable sense of authority.

“O-of course I brought it.”

Martin reached into his coat to retrieve the secret ledger but then paused.

“Let me see what you brought first.”

Juliana had anticipated that Martin would not hand over the ledger without proof.

She was not surprised and responded calmly.

“Naturally. But the one who is desperate should show their hand first.”

She tilted her chin slightly in a gesture for him to open the book and prove its contents.

Martin hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly unfolded the ledger with trembling hands.

He held it firmly, as if to say he would let her look but not take it from him.

His knuckles were pale from how tightly he gripped it. She could feel the desperation in his body. He wanted to save his son, no matter the cost.

If only you had realized that someone else’s child might be just as precious to them.

Juliana’s eyes turned colder as memories from the past came rushing back.

To Martin, she had probably seemed like an easy mark, just the powerless wife of a marquis.

She hid her emotions and calmly reviewed the contents of the ledger he held.

“Turn the page. Let me see more.”

At her request, Martin suppressed the irritation rising in his chest and turned the page.

Whether he liked it or not, Juliana’s gaze remained sharp and focused as she examined the ledger.

In her previous life, she had overheard a conversation between Felix and Martin by chance, which revealed the existence of this secret ledger.

It had taken her tremendous effort just to get a brief look at it.

Her original plan had been to use the ledger to secure her position, but the security around it had been so strict that she failed to get her hands on it.

“This is a fake. The deal is off.”

As Juliana pushed her chair back with a scrape, Martin panicked and threw his hands up.

“W-wait! I am sorry! Truly! Here, this one is real!”

He had clearly thought she would not know the difference, and now his face had turned pale.

Terrified of losing his chance to get the Mountain Devil’s flower, he hurriedly produced the genuine ledger.

Juliana glared at him with cold, unwavering eyes.

Of course. She had suspected as much. It was not like the sly Martin to offer up the real thing so easily.

“Do you think you can get what I have from someone else?”

“N-no, of course not. I was being foolish.”

Martin bowed his head in submission.

But Juliana showed no trace of sympathy in her eyes.

If she had not disguised herself using the magical artifact, he would have tried to take what she had by force.

“If you try to deceive me again, I will destroy what I have.”

“Yes, of course. You are absolutely right.”

Overwhelmed by the presence of the man before him, Martin nodded repeatedly, unable to resist the pressure.

Juliana took the real ledger and thoroughly examined its contents.

Martin could only fidget helplessly as he watched.

With a soft click, Juliana placed a small magically sealed box on the table.

While Martin was completely distracted by the contents inside, she quickly slipped the ledger into her cloak and stood.

“T-this is really… truly…”

Martin stared at the flower of Lambertia Formosa, tears streaming down his cheeks in disbelief.

He had planned to switch out the real ledger with the fake one after making the trade, but now that no longer mattered.

He would think of another way after saving his son first.

By the time he looked up again, the man who had been sitting across from him had vanished without a trace.

Juliana slipped the ledger securely into her cloak and quickly made her way back to Caitlin’s boutique.

Atlante circled above her, keeping watch for any signs of danger.

But even he failed to detect the presence of the hidden devil watching in silence.

In the shadows of a dark alley, Braeden stood observing the disguised Juliana as she disappeared into the distance.

Beside him, Lochlan waited quietly.

Braeden finally spoke.

“It is a strange feeling, having a wife who keeps so many secrets.”

“That feeling is mutual, I would say,”

Lochlan replied, as if defending Juliana.

Braeden turned to him with a cold stare.

“You said the man was the butler of the Everett household?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Braeden was already in a foul mood, having heard rumors that Felix Everett had been trying to approach Juliana at the palace.

He had ignored Felix’s presence before the marriage, believing him unworthy of attention.

But that perspective had now shifted.

“Find out exactly what she took and what is written inside.”

“Yes, my lord. I will see it done.”

Lochlan bowed deeply and disappeared into the darkness.

Left alone, Braeden stood in silence, stroking his chin in thought.

His crimson eyes glowed sharply in the dark.

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